Michael Wardian dives over the finish line during the 25th KeyBank Vermont City Marathon on Sunday in Burlington. / BRIAN JENKINS, for the Free Press

Written by

Free Press Staff Writer

His cap on backwards as always, and taking advantage of the wet grass, Michael Wardian drove head first and slid across the Vermont City Marathon finish line Sunday morning.

It’s safe to say the VCM’s self -proclaimed “bridesmaid” was enjoying his first trip back to Burlington in three years.

Five straight times a VCM runner-up finisher, Michael Wardian took fifth Sunday while working his way back to full strength after injuries.

The last few Memorial Day weekends, the 39-year-old from northern Virginia was in South Africa to compete in the Comrades Ultramaraton.

Sunday, Wardian finished in 2 hours, 30 minutes — not too shabby considering he spent most of last year recovering from five stress fractures in his pelvis.

“It was great to be back,” Wardian said. “I was hoping to be a little bit faster today but it was sweet to be in the mix. I just have to work a little harder next year and come back and get back on the podium.”

Wardian’s long-distance running career has soared since he was last in Vermont. He picked up a sponsorship from The North Face and been successful races in all distances, including several 50- and 100-milers.

On Wardian’s itinerary in June alone: The North Face 50-miler in Washington D.C., the San Francisco Marathon, a 50-miler in Costa Rica and another in Ecuador.

“This place is even better than I remember,” Wardian said. “They just roll out the red carpet and the fans here are amazing. And it’s tough to not want to come back.”

Course holds up in rain

Three straight days of downpouring didn’t pose a problem for the Vermont City Marathon’s course.

A few puddles aside, marathon executive director Peter Delaney said the 26.2-mile route through Burlington held up with few problems.

In 2011, Lake Champlain flooding forced VCM officials to re-route a section of the course on the bike path between Oakledge Park and Battery Street.

“It turns out a couple years ago was a warm up for this year. We knew where to look and we were out there ahead of time, have been working on some spots throughout (Saturday) and everything was good,” Delaney said. “Burlington Parks and Rec did a great job addressing a couple spots.”

Celebrity relay team

Some of running’s most famous personalities were running among the masses of the Vermont City Marathon on Sunday.

Bill Rodgers, Bill Galloway and Bart Yasso teamed up with former VCM race directors Gordon McFarland and John Sherer to form a five-person relay team.

Rodgers is a former American record holder in the marathon, and twice won the Boston Marathon in the 1970s. Galloway is a world-famous running instructor and Yasso is Runners World’s chief running officer.

Yasso, who attends more than 100 running events a year across the country, said he’s always impressed with the Burlington marathon, a race he’s been to five times.

“Peter Delaney and the people at Vermont know what they are doing and have this race down,” Yasso said. “It’s such a community event; that’s what I love about it.”